21.   Chirac, leading in the polls against Socialist Lionel Jospin but vulnerable to a large undecided vote, needs support from supporters of Le Pen.

22.   Instead, although ahead in the polls, he faces a large undecided vote.

23.   Swaying the undecided vote is believed to be a key to victory.

24.   The race between rightist Jaime Nebot of the Social Christian party and populist Abdala Bucaram of the Roldosista party hinges on a largely undecided vote.

25.   The undecided vote remains a wild card, and the far-right National Front, with its anti-immigrant stand, could play spoiler against the conservatives.